Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D, ‘Titan‘, was the work of a young man on a mission. The symphony takes the listener on a profound and at times humorous journey of self-discovery and a search for meaning.

The symphony was written in 1884-1888, with major revisions up to 1896, reflecting Mahler’s development as a composer. The first movement opens with a slow, haunting piccolo motive and the sound of a horn, suggesting the ‘hunter’ — Mahler’s protagonist — appears.

The pace picks up and new melodies emerge, creating the effect of dawn in the countryside, the beginning of the journey. The voice of a cuckoo appears occasionally, and the movement ends with a dramatic flourish.

This first movement is marked Langsam, schleppend (Slowly, dragging) Immer sehr gemächlich (very restrained throughout) and Mahler’s detailed instructions for each movement are crucial to performance and appreciation.

Keitaro Harada conducts the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

The second movement, marked Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell (Moving strongly, but not too quickly), Recht gemächlich (restrained), opens with a traditional ländler, a rhythmic folk dance in 3/4 time that was the precursor to the waltz.

In this movement, visiting...